Kendrick Perkins Makes Houston’s Shocking Playoff Guarantee

Despite high expectations heading into the 2025-26 campaign, ESPN Kendrick Perkins doesn’t see a deep playoff run on the horizon for Houston Rockets. The head coach Ime Udoka calls out Rockets’ Amen Thompson is just another example of the problems that have plagued Houston’s season, preventing the team from reaching its full potential.

Perkins doesn’t expect that from the Rockets pull it out first round of the playoffs, he said, according to ESPN’s First Take.

“The Rockets are coming home in the first round,” Perkins said. “Number one, they lack a high basketball IQ. Number two, they’ve lost their identity defensively. They used to be a defensive-minded team. I don’t know what the hell happened. Number three, they play individual, selfish basketball.”

Without a fluid offense, the Rockets will not advance to the second round. And for Perkins, Thompson isn’t the only Rockets player with an unselfish approach to offense.

“There are times when you watch Amen Thompson. He wants to go 1-on-1. Show the world he can get the bucket,” Perkins added. “There is no structure to their attack – same with Sengun.”

“They play individual, selfish basketball. … They (Houston Rockets) will be sent home in the first round. I guarantee you that.”

Kendrick Perkins doesn’t see the Rockets getting past the first round of the playoffs 😳

(via @FirstTake)
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— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 23, 2026

Above all, though, what annoys Kendrick Perkins the most is that the Rockets didn’t try to make a deal for Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline.

Udoka name-calls Amen Thompson of the Rockets

If not Kevin Durant’s social media accusations against All-Star Rocketscoach Ime Udoka calls out Amen Thompson, who had the Rockets in the news last week. The the ball stopped moving when it landed in Thompson’s hands, Udoka said, per The Athletic’s Kelly Iko.

“The ball stopped moving, started to isolate too much. Same story — we’ve lost too many games like this. I tell Amen and Reid to be more demonstrative and get us into our sets; it’s not time to freestyle. Turnovers hurt, but bad offense is just as bad.”

The Rockets will look to bounce back from their 108-106 loss to the Knicks when they host the Jazz on Monday.